Day 01 Arrive Aurangabad
On arrival assisted in the transfer to hotel.
Later, embark upon the half day sightseeing tour of the city, which would include the visit to :
Aurangabad has the most elaborate vase temples of India. Although Buddhist monks began excavating in the seventh century, the site grew to include Hindu and Jain temples as the Buddhist faith waned in popularity towards the end of the seventh century. There are 34 caves, including 12 Buddhist (Ad 600-800) and 17 Hindu (around AD 900) and they are numbered in that order as you progress from south to North. After relaxation visit at Daulatabad Fort. Originally the mountainous Deogiri fortress, it was an old Hindu stronghold, finally captured and plundered by deceit in the 13th century. Later, visit Panchakki, an engineering feat of the time built by Malik Ambar in 1695. The water channelled from a spring on a distant hill was used to power the flourmill or grain grinder for the pilgrims.
Dinner and overnight at Aurangabad.
Day 02 Aurangabad – Ellora by Surface
After breakfast, embark on the sightseeing tour of Ellora Caves, one of the highly visited World Heritage sites of India. It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva. After visit return back to Aurangabad for lunch. Later visit Bibi ka Maqbara Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal.
Dinner and overnight at Aurangabad.
Day 03 Aurangabad – Ajanta Caves – Full Day Excursion
After breakfast, embark on the full day excursion to the famous Ajanta Caves, one of the few historical and architectural marvels of India. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, the caves were discovered during the 19th century by a group of British officers who were on a tiger hunt. The Ajanta group of caves, located deep within the Sahyadri hills above the Waghora, depicts the story of Buddhism that prevailed here during 200 BC to 650 AD. Ajanta's wondrous cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which is a waterfall that drops over the mountain rim in a series of seven steps to a pool far below. Deep inside the mountain are the Buddhist chaitya vihara prayer and monastery caves. They cover a span of 800 years where, under the royal patronage of ruling dynasties, professional artists helped Buddhist monks to create magnificent murals narrating the story of Buddha in his cycle of incarnations, while simultaneously creating a painted record of the panorama of life in ancient India. Etched and painted in mineral dyes, the paintings have a languorous stylized beauty and magical eloquence. After visiting Ajanta Caves drive back to Aurangabad.
Dinner and overnight at Aurangabad.
Day 04 Aurangabad – Onward destination
Breakfast at hotel. This morning assisted in your departure transfer to the airport to board the onward flight. |
